The significance of the Age of Exploration on global trade was profound, as it connected distant continents and facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. Beginning in the late 15th century, European explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama opened new trade routes to Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This era led to the establishment of maritime empires and the global exchange of products such as spices, sugar, and precious metals. Furthermore, it initiated the Columbian Exchange, which radically altered ecosystems and economies across the world. This period set the stage for modern globalization, reshaping economies and cultures worldwide.